My little birdie nieces and nephews are growing up so fast!  Here are some more photos

I'm a birdie aunt!  We've got a little family in our front yard.  Not sure what species they are, but they're tiny!

Here' one little guy

Here he is with his siblings

Here's the house they live in

Here's their tree.  House is on far left

They grow up so fast!

Would you believe that the little fellow on the right is graduating high school and will be off to college next fall?  I remember holding him in my arms when he was a month old!    I remember his first birthday party!  I remember making up silly songs for him. I remember when he graduated from nursery school.  And now he's a young man!

It has impressed on me once again of enjoying and savoring the moments with one's nephews and nieces while you can, before they grow up and have their own nieces and nephews.

They get older

A few days ago I visited my godson in Vermont. I can remember him when he was an infant strapped to him mother's chest. A little bit of a thing who cried when I tried to babysit him. Now he's a teenager with a deep voice! It's strange, almost as if there were two different people: the little one of my memory and the young man of reality.

Honorary nephews and nieces

A nephew or niece doesn't have to be a blood relative. Our little friend who lives next door visits frequently and we love him, too. Interestingly, I was over at a friend's house, and she had a visit from...the little children who live next door to her and visit her regularly! Perhaps community ties should be counted as "family" as well.

How very odd

The other day my niece sent me a picture of my great nephew. I dug up some photos of his dad at that age, and, yes, they look a lot alike. But I do find it odd that a nephew who was an adorable little baby just a few years ago is now a grown man.

I'm not saying it's bad. I enjoy getting to know my nephews and nieces all over again as adults. It's just a bit strange to look at these grown up men and women and think: "Wow! I remember you when you were still a toddler!"

Nephews are people too.

I just had my grown nephew visit for the weekend and we had some long talks. The last time I really talked to him, he was about twelve. Now that he's an adult, it's a joy to share interests, witticisms and life experiences.

I just wish I'd had the opportunity for a few more heart to heart chats in the past.